Best Kolatkikolacki Ukrainian Christmas Cookies Via Czechoslovakia Recipes

KOLATKI/KOLACKI (UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES VIA CZECHOSLOVAKIA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cream together butter, cream cheese, sugar, egg yolks and lemon zest.
• Stir in flour, creating stiff dough.
• Mold dough into hamburger-size patties and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
• Roll patty out 1/8-1/4 inch thick, preferably on chilled marble or glass cutting board.
• Cut dough into 2 1/2 inch squares.
• Place squares on cookie sheet (ungreased is OK).
• In each square, dab about 1/3 teaspoon pastry filling.
• Fold one corner halfway over pastry so that it points to opposite corner.
• With pastry brush, dab egg white onto folded corner.
• Fold opposite corner onto folded corner.
• Press lightly to fix with egg white.
• Optional: Brush egg white over top of cookie and dust with confectioners' sugar.
• Bake cookies for 15-20 minutes or until edges are slightly brown.

UKRAINIAN SNOW CAP COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift the flour with the dry ingredients.
• Cream the butter; add the egg yolks, one at a time, and continue creaming.
• Stir in the milk or cream.
• Add the flour and mix thoroughly. The dough should be light. Chill for easier handling.
• Roll thin and cut into small rounds.
• Prepare the topping by beating the egg whites until stiff; add the sugar gradually, beating constantly. Fold in the walnuts and coconut.
• Place the rounds on a greased baking sheet and top each with the meringue.
• Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees F) for about 12 minutes, or until delicately browned.

KOLACHKY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and butter until well blended. I like to use my hands, but you can also use a wooden spoon. Mix in the flour 1 cup at a time. As the dough becomes stiff, turn it out onto the counter and knead in flour until it is no longer sticky. Continue to knead the dough for 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Crush the walnuts to a fine consistency in a food processor. Stir in the egg and honey. On a well floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into 3x3 inch squares. Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each square. Use walnut for some and poppyseed for the rest. Roll the squares up and seal the edges. These can also be formed into triangles. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Brush with egg white.
• Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. When cool, dust with confectioners' sugar.

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS KOLACH

Steps:

• Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in water and sprinkle yeast over it.
• Add 1 tablespoon sugar, stir, and let stand 10 minutes.
• Combine yeast with milk, lightly beaten eggs, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, oil, and 3 cups sifted flour.
• Beat until smooth.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place until light and bubbly, about 1 hour.
• Mix in remaining flour and knead until smooth and elastic and dough leaves the side of the bowl easily.
• Form into a ball and place in lightly oiled bowl, turning once to oil the top.
• Cover with towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk.
• Punch down and allow to rise again slightly.
• Divide dough into 3 parts.
• On a floured work surface, divide one part into thirds, rolling each into a rope 8 to 10 inches long and 1 1/2 inch thick.
• Braid together, starting at the middle, and turn ends under.
• Repeat to make other two loaves and place on buttered baking sheets.
• Do not crowd, since loaves will double in size.
• Cover with damp towel and let rise until almost double.
• Brush with egg glaze and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
• Bake in preheated oven at 375 degree F.
• at least 1 hour, until golden.
• Test by rapping the bottom; there should be a nice hollow sound.
• Cool on racks.
• Makes 3 medium loaves.